Help Me Spend $650

[Olympus]

Just like the title says, I need some advice on how best to spend $650. I've got a lot of different directions I could go and I can't figure out which way to go. I can break the choice down into two categories: 1. one single purchase or 2. buy several smaller items and projects.

Category 1:
Buy a Glock 34 for getting into USPSA with my brother (may actually be a while before I could start competing though because we have our first newborn child to take care of now).

Buy a HK VP9

Build a 7.5" SBR (Already have a 10.5" that I've only shot one time though)

Buy a Glock 26 for a dedicated vehicle gun (have one vehicle without a dedicated gun

Category 2 (could include any combination of the choices as long as the total doesn't exceed $650):
Cerakote the slide of my Glock 19 burnt bronze to match my two ARs.

Buy several more Glock 19 mags

Buy several more Pmags for my ARs (both rifles have 5 mags each currently)

Buy an EOTech 512 for my 10.5" SBR (only has MBUS sights now, but I've only taken it to the range once in almost a year)

Buy a Streamlight TLR-1S for my Glock 19

Spend $500 for my SOT in order start selling suppressors (not actual tangible item with this choice and not in a huge demand area for NFA products)

Buy slings for both my ARs.

 

[El Viejo]

I would get the Streamlight, slings for the ARs, maybe a couple magazines, and opt for a S&W revolver for your truck, although you seem to be stuck on Glock.

 

[il.bill]

Congrats on having money to spend!

The HK VP9 is one of the sweetest shooting 9x19mm pistols I have ever fired (it belongs to a friend's son). I could sell several right now if any of my distributors had any in stock.

A newborn child AND firearm funds? Maybe something you can pass on to him/her in 18 to 21 years.

 

[leadcounsel]

G34. Mags. Ammo.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Money burning a hole in your pocket, huh? My vote would be for the VP9. It's amazing how well it shoots. Amazing.

 

[rskent]

You seem to be a Glock guy without a G26. I don't see how that is even possible.

 

[ku4hx]

I took a chance on a slightly different path with my $650 and so far I'm very pleased. I bought an Israeli Police FEG Hi-Power turn-in. A small amount of surface rust, no pitting and it shoots at least as well as my "T" series BHP. Novak's will be doing some work: refinishing, sights, hammer and sear, trigger job and etc. I've used Novak before on a couple of BHPs with great results so they were my choice again.

A nice set of Spegel or VZ grips will put me slightly over my $650 budget but it's a birthday present and it'll need a set of nice grips.

 

[Tallball]

Last time I checked Buds still had police turn-in S&W 38's for around $300 (maybe a little less). There are surplus Star Super B 9mm at Aim Surplus, on Gunbroker, and many other places for around $250. That is two quality handguns, a vehicle gun and a range gun, for around $550 plus shipping and FFL. You would have a bit left over for ammo.

 

[BSA1]

The challenge I often have is choosing between what I WANT vs. what I NEED.

The Banic of 2013 and a 18 month job layoff gave me a harsh lesson between WANTS and NEEDS.

I often want a new firearm but frankly I have little actual need for it.

On the other hand I have a lot of things I need. As a reloader gunpowder, primers and brass alone will eat up $650.00 in a hurry. I have a pistol that needs it's dead night sights replaced. Then there are things for my AR build, grips for another gun, magazines (always need more magazines).

I am choosing practical over bling and am working on filling some of my needs over the next year.

 

[Bentonville]

VP9 without question. Then all of your other firearms will probably be relegated to range toys. I, personally, don't agree to a designated gun for the automobile. Your carry gun is with you in and out of the car. so why leave one in the car? My car gets incredibly humid in the summer and cold in the winter. Cars are so vulnerable to random sacking and vandalism as well as wrecks, in my opinion. Just a few points to ponder. VP9. If you haven't tried one, then you can't know. Good luck with your decision.

 

[tarosean]

may actually be a while before I could start competing though because we have our first newborn child to take care of now).

In that case.. Diapers diapers diapers.. I know, not as cool as a new gun or equipment.. However you will use em..

 

[kayak-man]

If you don't reload, I'd recomend investing in a press, electronic scale, and components. It will pay dividends later on by allowing you to shoot more.

The way I see it, if you already have an SBR and have only shot it one time, it doesn't sound like that would be a wise place to spend money. Also, I see no reason why you couldn't shoot USPSA with a GLOCK 19. It might be a little smaller than what most guys shoot, but compared to a full sized M&P, its only about a half an inch shorter in height and length.

Your mileage may vary though

 

[bannockburn]

Olympus

Congrats on the newborn addition to the family! Having said that I would go with Category 2 items. Obviously we don't know your financial situation, outside of having $650 to spend, but I do know having kids can burn through money faster than anything else on the planet, (excluding of course when they become teenage kids). And then there's saving for their college education...

I would go with buying some spare mags, some slings for your ARs, and maybe get the Streamlight.

 

[Olympus]

Thanks for all the advice so far. A lot of very good opinions.

I'm not a Glock guy per se, but I just bought my first one a month or so ago and I've really enjoyed it. So it would make sense if I were to buy another, I would buy a Glock and take advantage of the mags I already have for the 19.

As for vehicle guns, I like to keep a gun in every one because I can't carry at my work, so that's 8-5 M-F that I don't have my carry gun on me. At the very least, I know I have one in a vehicle no matter which one I drive to work. Car thefts are extremely rare in my area.

As for the money, it's what has been allocated as my "fun money". It's money I have saved from my grip business and my FFL. My regular salary goes towards life expenses and taking care if our new baby. And thanks for the well-wishes also!

 

[danez71]

From the OP

.... we have our first newborn child to take care of now

Congrats!!!!!!!!!

 

[Olympus]

Well, after looking into the price and availability of VP9 mags, I'm thinking that option may not be top on the list. I'd love to have the gun, but $50+ for spare mags is a little ridiculous to me.

 

[Bentonville]

Mags will loosen up after a while in my opinion. Get the LE with three mags and night sights. You'll be good to go until mags become plentiful.

 

[anothernewb]

always buy the firearm. Unless you can buy two. then buy two. Buy the accessories later.

 

[MIL-DOT]

If it's going to be a "dedicated vehicle gun", then why bother with the little G26 that's made for concealability? (I loved mine for a few years, but sold it eventually). You might as well get a 17 or another 19. I'm seeing both of them, very clean ones, on my local classified sites for $450-475,all the time (often with extra mags, or night sights). That would give you an all-around better truck gun than the G26, and leave you with enough money left over to still get the TLR-1 (yep, they are fantastic).
Five P-mags per rifle is plenty, at least for the moment, you will probably never fire enough ammo to wear them out, or ever be in a post-SHTF,zombie shootout where that isn't enough magazines (same goes the the extra G19 mags).
EOTECHS are great and all, but it sounds like money isn't unlimited (same here) and it's a luxury you don't really need, for that much money. Ain't a damn thing wrong with iron sights.

 

[Olympus]

My thought for the G26 as a vehicle gun is that it would be kept in my wife's vehicle. She has her CCW, but usually doesn't carry due to work restrictions also. But if she felt the need, she could slip the G26 in her purse if necessary.

I feel like I'm always buying the firearm and putting the accessories on hold. I've got one AR that I finally put a 1-4x and PEPR mount on that I still need to sight in. My SBR has irons, but I always intended to put some kind of optic on it. And neither AR has a sling, which I always intended both to have. There comes a time when I'm going to have to stop buying another gun and finish out the guns that I currently have.

 

[duck911]

My .02:

1) Buy a little pink or blue BB gun or single shot .22 for Olympus Jr. for future use. That is an investment that will NEVER fail. Trust me.
2) Hire a sitter and treat the wife to a great night on the town
3) Mags, slings, ammo, or whatever makes sense with whatever is left
4) diapers with the change

Normally baby comes first but I see this is money earned and earmarked for discretionary spending, hence my list above.

Congrats on growing the family!

 

[Olympus]

Thanks. He already got a new 75th anniversary Red Ryder bb gun with his name engraved on the forend.

I actually stumbled across a deal on a VP9 with 4 mags locally. I'm meeting the guy thia afternoon to look at the gun.

 

[J-Bar]

The reason you are having difficulty deciding what to buy is because you are jaded with all that modern stuff.

Buy a cap and ball revolver, a couple of pounds of black powder, some percussion caps and lead balls, and learn a different kind of shooting.

I bet you will have fun.

 

[JSH1]

Spend $500 for my SOT in order start selling suppressors (not actual tangible item with this choice and not in a huge demand area for NFA products)

This is the only item that will bring in more money. Build your business and let it grow.

 

[Olympus]

I ended up buying the VP9 and 4 mags for $650. The gun doesn't appear to have been fired. I can't find any powder residue anywhere on the gun.